Sunday 31 August 2014

Dress C- The Sweet Dress Book

After making the tie-neck camisole, as described here, I have been looking longingly at lots of the designs in the fabulous "Sweet Dress Book".  I had a hankering for the soft pleats of dress C.


Easy to throw on, but with enough interest to look nice. It was reasonably quick to put together too.


Here's the twist: I sized it down, so I could make it from a fine soft jersey rather than woven fabric.  I'd had the idea for a while and I'm glad I gave it a go.


I'm trying Oonna's tip for photographing from a low down angle, thus giving the illusion of height.  Not sure it's worked - I still look quite short! I'm also doing my best to stare off enigmatically into the middle distance.


The fabric is a thin jersey, light and stretchy. It flows nicely in this dress and I am very pleased with that.


I felt I would be able to tackle this after my recent practice sewing with jersey. I was confident cutting-out, pinning, and sewing the side-seams and the sleeve and dress hems.

Now, I said it was reasonably quick to sew. And I was sailing through, feeling I knew what I was doing; so, I confidently proceeded to the finishing of the neckline with self binding. It looked beyond awful, stretched out of shape and far too thick and lumpy for the delicate fabric.  I should have taken a photo at this stage, but instead I had a break and a beer and then another one!

Later, I delicately cut off the stretched neckline as carefully as I could.  At this point I knew I had to walk away and look afresh at the mess the next day. I was then able to salvage it: I cut thin strips of bonda-web and simply folded the mutilated neckline over, fixing it in place with a hot iron and later securing it with a decorative zigzag.  Phew.


I am so pleased that it is wearable because after two beers on Saturday night I was all for throwing it in the bin. The image of Iain's "Baked Alaska " being thrown in the bin on the Great British Bake Off this week gave me the motivation not to give up, but to finish the dress. (Sorry for the topical UK reference international readers.)


So overall I am really pleased. The dress is a perfect length for me (I shortened it by about 5 inches!) and though the neckline isn't perfect, it will do. I now want to make another and get the neckline right first time.

If you like this pattern, Sarah from the Creative Perfectionist (dress C) has recently made a version of this that I adore.  She made it in red polka dot fabric, and added very clever shirring to give her version a fitted silhouette.

17 comments:

  1. Looks like a lovely comfy dress - good idea to try making it in jersey! I love the print too, the colours are great!

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    1. Thanks, the colour is great and I have some blue tights that will really go with it too!

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  2. Ack! I'm not sure if my other comment made it through. Louise, I absolutely adore this dress! It looks terrific on you and the neckline looks great, too. I'm so glad you powered on with it! I love your shoes, as well. Where did you find them?

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    1. Thank you, I still may give you shirring idea a go though as that is a technique I have never tried. The shoes are so comfy, they are from a company called "Heavenly Feet- anti fatigue footwear" I have a few pairs from this company as they are like walking on air!

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  3. Oh, I do like this - the soft gathers under the bodice look lovely and it's such a delightful fabric - I'm so glad you rescued it, a very nice save!!

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    1. It was touch and go! The fabric is cute- reminds me of "My Little Pony" from when I was a child- not sure that is actually a good thing!

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  4. That works very well with the jacket as well as on it's own. Good save on the neckline.

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    1. That is what I like about these Japanese style dresses they are so comfy, but throw a jacket over them and you instantly look smart.

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  5. Oh, well done you - that's gorgeous! You were absolutely right to size down; the fit is fantastic. I'm so glad you were able to salvage it (Take that, Knit Intimidation!) And that's some excellent enigmatic middle distance staring... ;)

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    1. Glad you liked the staring! I always feel such a twit posing for blog photos. Now I know why so many bloggers stare off... you don't need to look at the camera!

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  6. Sometimes a break and beer is just what you need. :-) I'm always nervous about neckbands and finishing necklines on knit garments--it seems to be the make or break moment for me. Your dress looks lovely!

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    1. I completely agree and I need to learn to walk away from the sewing machine more often when I get in a mess. Just that little bit of distance brings calm and a clear head for problem solving.

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  7. This looks great!! Sizing down for jersey worked perfectly, it looks like a great fit. (And it's good to hear that the Baked Alaska controversy had a positive effect :) )

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  8. Thank you, I can't take credit for the sizing down of a pattern when using jersey. I am sure I read that tip on somebody else's blog!

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  9. Adorable! I have this book, but now sewn anything from it. Interesting you mention Oona's advice on photoing from a low angle. I've tried this and wat happend was, my head looked REALLY huge and my legs looks so skinny. It was a rather weird misshapen feel to every photo. So, I found when I upped the tripod to just ABOVE eye height, not towering above you, 2 metres, lol, then everything seemed much more in proportion. No idea if that is how it's supposed to be, but that's how it worked with my (not so expensive) camera)

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  10. I shall try that next, thank you.

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  11. Oh that is stinkin cute! You look adorable with the front pleats and the pattern of that fabric is SUPER fun. Perfect layer for many seasons. Well done!!

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